Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
#1
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Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
I have a 92 Z28 that I got fairly recently. I am planning on doing a mild build up to around 400 rwhp. I want to get her in tip top shape before I doing anything. I am replacing the driveshaft and differential cover because they are rusted to ****. Everything else is fine besides the muffler because the previous owner had done a little restoration work on the undercarriage. I looked on Hawk's an the aluminum driveshaft is $150 and the steel is $25. I do anything to my car half @$$ed but I don't really NEED the aluminum one. My question:How much weight will I really save with the aluminum driveshaft and is it really worth it? $125 difference is enough to matter so is there any other benefit to the aluminum one? Thanks in advance guys.
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.42 Posi
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
Someone correct me if im wrong but what you have on your z28 is an aluminum driveshaft, there is no point in downgrading if ou have an upgrade, if the rust bothers you that much and its not eating holes, I would just remove it and sand it down...and you can paint it your choice of color, same for our diff cover...IMO
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Car: 84 Z28, '15 Colorado
Engine: L69
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
The aluminum weighs a bit less (1-2 lbs) but its main benefit is the balance. The aluminum driveshafts are much more balanced and reduce vibrations at higher speeds (if you have any).
$150 is a lot of money in my opinion. I paid $20 for a perfectly good you at the pick-a-part for my '02 way back when.
4th gen aluminum - larger diameter and thinner walls. There's a picture on here of a 4th gen aluminum driveshaft that twisted on itself under almost no acceleration.
3rd gen aluminum - smaller diameter and thicker walls. There is one in the for sale section for $70 right now.
$150 is a lot of money in my opinion. I paid $20 for a perfectly good you at the pick-a-part for my '02 way back when.
4th gen aluminum - larger diameter and thinner walls. There's a picture on here of a 4th gen aluminum driveshaft that twisted on itself under almost no acceleration.
3rd gen aluminum - smaller diameter and thicker walls. There is one in the for sale section for $70 right now.
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.42 Posi
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
The aluminum weighs a bit less (1-2 lbs) but its main benefit is the balance. The aluminum driveshafts are much more balanced and reduce vibrations at higher speeds (if you have any).
$150 is a lot of money in my opinion. I paid $20 for a perfectly good you at the pick-a-part for my '02 way back when.
4th gen aluminum - larger diameter and thinner walls. There's a picture on here of a 4th gen aluminum driveshaft that twisted on itself under almost no acceleration.
3rd gen aluminum - smaller diameter and thicker walls. There is one in the for sale section for $70 right now.
$150 is a lot of money in my opinion. I paid $20 for a perfectly good you at the pick-a-part for my '02 way back when.
4th gen aluminum - larger diameter and thinner walls. There's a picture on here of a 4th gen aluminum driveshaft that twisted on itself under almost no acceleration.
3rd gen aluminum - smaller diameter and thicker walls. There is one in the for sale section for $70 right now.
I run a 4th Gen aluminum drive shaft I havnt had had no problems. Whoever twisted that thing must have some other issues goin on.
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#8
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Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but only the 1LE thirdgens got the aluminum driveshaft, all of the LT1 fourth gens got the same aluminum driveshaft that the 1LE cars had and the LS1 cars got the larger diameter aluminum driveshaft.
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Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
i bought a wrecked '88 gta with an aluminum shaft in it... not sure if it was stock though.
i have a friend that broke a '98 aluminum shaft going to 2nd gear at the dragstrip. driveshaft broke, and slammed into the floorboard a few times until it set off the airbags. destroyed the dashboard, steering wheel, windshield, and a few other things.
i have a friend that broke a '98 aluminum shaft going to 2nd gear at the dragstrip. driveshaft broke, and slammed into the floorboard a few times until it set off the airbags. destroyed the dashboard, steering wheel, windshield, and a few other things.
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 370 LSX, LS3 Top End
Transmission: Built T-56
Axle/Gears: 9" Aluminum Center 3.89's
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
^^ that's why you get a loop and one hell of a shaft lol. Got a 3.5" PST from MWC for a damn good price, and i won't worry about breaking it!
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.42 Posi
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
i bought a wrecked '88 gta with an aluminum shaft in it... not sure if it was stock though.
i have a friend that broke a '98 aluminum shaft going to 2nd gear at the dragstrip. driveshaft broke, and slammed into the floorboard a few times until it set off the airbags. destroyed the dashboard, steering wheel, windshield, and a few other things.
i have a friend that broke a '98 aluminum shaft going to 2nd gear at the dragstrip. driveshaft broke, and slammed into the floorboard a few times until it set off the airbags. destroyed the dashboard, steering wheel, windshield, and a few other things.
Thats intesnse, I dont think a stock 305 or 350 should worry about that tho
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Car: 1988 Flame Red Trans am GTA
Engine: Forged 355 4 Bolt, FIRST TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 3.42 gear
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
my gta came stock with a aluminum driveshaft and its very light compared to a steel third gen driveshaft...
#21
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
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Car: SOLD IT. Mopar guy only now.
Engine: gone
Transmission: gone
Axle/Gears: gone
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
deffinately worth the upgrade. try to stick with a thirdgen one if you can. not just 1le cars came with it. and I have never seen an lt1 car with an aluminum shaft that wasnt aftermarket myself.
#24
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Car: '88 IROC-Z / '91 Z28 / '91 GTA
Engine: LT4 Hot Cam 305 / L98 355 / MR 383
Transmission: 5-spd / 700R4 / 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:45 / 3:23 / 3:23
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
RPO codes will show which cars came with an aluminum driveshaft... my first two irocs and my gta all came stock with an aluminum driveshaft, and aluminum rear brake drums. Not only does the aluminum driveshafts save weight, they're balanced better (for speed) but because they're lighter your car/drivetrain will spool up quicker. It is a noticeable 'seat of the pants' difference when you swap in an aluminum after running a steel.
So if your building a car and you have the option, I'd say yes go for it... but if money is an issue then save it for a later date and put that money towards something better like gearing or headers. Good luck!
So if your building a car and you have the option, I'd say yes go for it... but if money is an issue then save it for a later date and put that money towards something better like gearing or headers. Good luck!
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Car: Still a 3rd Gen
Engine: 450HP 355
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 9" with 4.11's
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
been using a 4th gen aluminum shaft in my 89 for a couple years, no problems yet.
#28
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
#30
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Car: 89 GTA
Engine: 5.7L Supercharged
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.70
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
My L1E driveshaft that came in my GTA stock handled it no problem tell my torque arm broke lol.
#31
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
I run this 3.5" Dana-spicer shaft I got from Lingenfelter.
All my other cars have 3rdgen aluminum shafts.
All my other cars have 3rdgen aluminum shafts.
Last edited by TTOP350; 01-02-2021 at 09:16 AM.
#32
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Car: 87 IROC Z-28
Engine: 5.0L 305 TPI V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
I'm running an Inland Empire Aluminum driveshaft in both my 87 and 91 and also running alum driveshaft in my GT. Have had them for several years with no issues. I'd say stick with the aluminum shafts....unless you have the money to drop on a carbon fiber shaft and wanted to inform us on the quality etc.
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Car: 67 ******mobile
Engine: 385 Solid roller
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
Never noticed any difference with alum driveshafts except the wallet was lighter. Wall thickness has more to do with strenth than what material
Always run a loop if you have a sticky tire and are running it hard.
Always run a loop if you have a sticky tire and are running it hard.
Last edited by cuisinartvette; 07-17-2012 at 10:36 AM.
#34
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Re: Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft?
I noticed a definite difference above 100mph. The steel shaft had a noticable harmonic at higher speeds that was a little unsettling. The aluminum shaft is quiet and smooth as fast as I want to go. Since I built my car more for speed and cornering than for the 1/4mi, this was of real benefit to me.
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